Director of Forensic Psychology

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Functional Title: Director of Forensic Psychology 
Job Title: Director II 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: HSCS Forensic Coordination 
Posting Number: 8497 
Closing Date: 09/09/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-27 
Salary Range: $7,015.16 - $11,864.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: SAN ANTONIO 
Job Location Address: 6711 S NEW BRAUNFELS 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 8003,8040,8041,8042,10C0,111X,112X,113X,114X,20C0,30C0,40C0,611X,612X,621X,631X,641X,648X,90G0,91C0 
91W0,97,SEI15 
 
 

Reporting to the Associate Commissioner for the Office of Forensic Services and Coordination, the Director of Forensic Psychology performs highly advanced administrative (senior-level) work, providing oversight, direction, coordination, and evaluation of the strategic operation and planning of forensic psycholoy services for the Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS), including program activities and forensic evaluations provided to adults found incompetent to stand trial and juveniles deemed unfit to proceed in Texas State Hospitals and State Supported Living Centers, and people found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. The Director will develop goals and objectives that are consistent with HSCS’s strategic priorities.

The Director will supervise a team of forensic psychologists who provide support to HSCS facilities, and in coordination with HSCS facility leadership and staff, the Director will provide leadership in the development, implementation, and coordination of forensic psychology services and programming across state hospitals and SSLCs. The Director will plan, develop, and participate in high-priority forensic psychology initiatives developed by the Office of Forensic Services and Coordination and provide guidance and expert consultation on forensic services and programming as part of highly advanced administrative work. The Director serves as a point of contact to outside agencies on forensic services and oversees coordination with counties, jails, courts, DA, defense, LMHA, and LIDDA. 

The Director will provide expert guidance to the Associate Commissioner, Deputy Executive Commissioner, and HSCS leadership and is expected to work collaboratively with leadership and staff across OFSC, HSCS, and the Health and Human Services Commission.

The Director will work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Preferred location is Austin, Texas.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Manage the day-to-day activities of staff within a complex department or service area; and supervises the work of others. Oversees and coordinates the daily work of forensic psychologists to ensure efficient workflow and consistent performance aligned with office and agency goals. Assigns tasks and responsibilities and monitors employee performance and deadlines. Provides administrative and clinical supervision of staff and provides regular feedback to ensure high performance. Facilitates team meetings, communicates priorities and guidance from executive leadership, and serves as the area’s point of contact and subject matter expert for executive leadership. (20%)
• Leads the development and support of forensic program activities for Texas SSLCs and Texas State Hospital System. In collaboration with SSLCs and SHs, leads the planning, design, and implementation of forensic psychology program activities for Texas State Supported Living Centers and the Texas State Hospital System. Ensures program activities are aligned with the goals and strategic priorities of the Health and Specialty Care System. Collaborates with SSLC and SH facility staff to develop responsive and evidence-based program activities. Establishes clear objectives, timelines and performance indicators for program activities and provides oversight of program implementation. Evaluates performance indicators and uses data to provide continuous improvement. Oversees the development of program processes, tools and resources to support implementation. (20%)
• Directs, plans, and evaluates the delivery of competency restoration and fitness to proceed services and programs across SLLCs and Texas State Hospitals. In collaboration with SSLCs and SHs, provides strategic leadership in the planning, design and implementation of competency restoration and fitness to proceed services and programs, ensuring alignment with SSLC and SH policies and procedures. Develops timelines, establishes priorities, and assigns tasks to direct work. In coordination with direct reports, oversees and provides guidance to SSLC and SH staff in program delivery. Establishes and monitors performance indicators and oversees continuous quality improvement. (10%)
• Provides leadership in the development, implementation, of forensic mental health policies, procedures, guidelines, treatment, discharge planning, and training, including competency restoration/fitness to proceed curricula and the production of quality trial competency/fitness to proceed evaluations and determination of intellectual disability assessments. In collaboration with SSLCs and SHs, identifies needs related to forensic mental health policies, procedures, guidelines, treatment, discharge planning, and training. Leads the development of responsive policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines to identified needs through workgroup development and coordination. Ensures work policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines support operational efficiency and consistency across facilities. Oversees the development and implementation of training to support SSLC and SH staff in the use of policies, procedures, and guidelines. (20%)
• Designs and implements initiatives that improve the quality and provision of forensic services that align with long-range and short-term plans. Conducts comprehensive needs assessments of current service models to identify gaps, inefficiencies and areas of improvement. Plans, designs, and implements strategic interventions and process improvement initiatives based on identified gaps, inefficiencies and improvements. Establishes performance metrics to monitor effectiveness of activities and ensures interventions and initiatives achieve desired results. Uses data to drive decision-making to adjust interventions and initiatives as needed. Engages SSLC and SH staff to gather qualitative information on initiatives and interventions and enhances and adjusts activities based on feedback. Promotes cross-system collaboration to share best practices and implementation strategies to ensure consistency in initiatives and interventions. Ensures initiatives align with forensic strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts. (10%)
• Provides expert psychological consultation on difficult forensic-related cases referred to the SSLCs and Texas State Hospitals. Coordinates and receives referrals from SSLC and SH staff for consultations. Participates in and/or delegates responsibility for consultations and identifies additional staffing. (5%)
• Provides oversight and training to staff on psychological best practices relating to providing services to the forensic mental health population in the SSLCs and state hospitals. Plans, designs, and implements comprehensive training programs to educate SSLC and SH staff on evidence-based and best practices in forensic mental health services, programs, and treatment. Leads efforts and initiatives to ensure standardization and consistency of services and programs across SSLCs and SHs. Collaborates with SH and SSLC staff to provide trainings at SSLC and SH facilities. Evaluates the effectiveness of training using performance indicators, staff feedback, and quality assurance techniques. (10%)
• Provides advanced consultative activities related to forensic admissions. Coordinates and receives referrals from SSLC and SH staff related to forensic admissions. Participates in and/or delegates responsibility for consultative activities. Provides resources, tools, and guidance to facility staff to resolve challenges related to forensic admissions. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge and policy experience in competence to stand trial, including service delivery in inpatient, outpatient, and jail-based competency restoration programs;

Knowledge and policy experience in Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, including service delivery in inpatient and outpatient programs;

Knowledge and experience in inpatient mental health services as provided in contracted private psychiatric beds, state hospitals, and state supported living centers;

Knowledge and experience in administering all aspects of the delivery of psychological service to persons with intellectual disabilities.

Knowledge regarding etiology and characteristics of developmental disabilities.

Knowledge and skills in the administration of standardized evaluations including assessments of intelligence and adaptive behavior.

Knowledge and skills in applied behavior analysis and behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation.

Knowledge of clinical treatment/psychotherapy modalities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and serious mental illness.

Knowledge of Texas laws pertaining to forensic commitments and procedures.

Knowledge of forensic psychological assessment, to include skills in diagnosis, interviewing, documentation, and report writing.

Skills in the use of psychological instruments to evaluate personality, neurocognition, adaptive functioning, suicide risk, violence risk, criminogenic risk, and malingering.

Skills in effective stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions to complex issues.

Skills in motivating staff and effectively implementing changes.

Skills in advanced writing in developing technical reports, grants, research proposals, and other relevant documents.

Ability to conduct forensic and psychological assessments and write clear, concise reports.

Ability to provide expert testimony to courts regarding forensic and psychological assessments.

Ability to provide training and technical assistance to clinical and administrative staff on forensic services.

Ability to communicate assessment data and treatment/discharge implications to treatment teams, courts, community stakeholders, and patients, where appropriate.

Ability to operate a computer and applicable software, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite software.

Ability to work with minimal supervision and make varied decisions within broad guidelines/parameters.

Ability to demonstrate a high degree of integrity, ability to build trust and communicate effectively;

Ability to strategically partner and collaborate with team members and other key stakeholders; 

Ability to be action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects; 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

License as a Psychologist by the State of Texas or a reciprocity state preferred but not required.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduated from an accredited college or university with a doctoral degree in forensic psychology.

At least five years of experience in working in a forensic residential facility, hospital, or inpatient care setting.

At least five years full time experience in human services.  

Demonstrated experience working on programs focused on forensic mental health and the intersection of behavioral health and justice. 

At least four years supervisory experience in a forensic setting.

Experience with forensic psychological assessments, forensic programming, and forensic policies. 

Experience in managing projects.

Additional Information:

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.